MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.—The Palm Beach Atlantic women's soccer team capped off its three-game road trip with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the St. Thomas University Bobcats Wednesday night. After surrendering the first goal of the contest, freshman Michaela Boyd produced a pair of second-half goals that gave PBA a 2-1 win.
Despite sending multiple through balls past the St. Thomas defense early in the game, the Sailfish failed to register any real threat during the majority of the first half of play. PBA continued to make runs in the Bobcats' defensive third, but had three opportunities wiped out due to offsides calls in the opening 30 minutes.
In the 30th minute, St. Thomas made Palm Beach Atlantic pay after a turnover in its own half of the pitch. The Bobcats worked their way down the right wing and sent a cross into the penalty area that was turned in by Sandy Benito to put STU on the board.
Immediately following the goal, PBA began playing with more of a sense of urgency, creating chances toward the end of the initial period.
Maddie McCarty sent a corner kick into the box that had to be dealt with by the STU keeper before Boyd registered the first shot for the Sailfish that sailed wide.
Although Palm Beach Atlantic controlled possession toward the end of the first 45 minutes, it was St. Thomas who saw itself on top 1-0 at the break.
After the 'Fish tallied only a single shot and one corner in the first half, PBA stormed out of the gates quickly in the second half with four shots and back-to-back corners by the 60th minute.
Kylee Rullo created a quality chance in the 57th minute by cutting back on her left foot and firing a shot on goal.
Just a minute later, Boyd slipped through the Bobcat defense and eluded the St. Thomas keeper. The freshman sent her left-footed shot off the woodwork, but was able to corral the ball and slot it into the gaping net to even the game at one.
In the waning minutes of the contest, Boyd completed the rally as she received a pass from Karina Williams at the top of the box. Boyd turned, beat the defender and found the back of the net to give PBA a 2-1 advantage with six and a half minutes to go.
On Boyd's second goal of the match and team-leading third of the season, Williams recorded her team-best second assist of the year.
With the one-goal triumph, Palm Beach Atlantic moved to 3-1 as the team heads into the conference schedule.
The Sailfish now return home to kick off Sunshine State Conference play against Florida Southern College on Saturday. The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
